Saipan Community School’s Isaiah Aleksenko, right, drives against a Grace Christian Academy defender during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the SCS’ court in Susupe. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Saipan Community School gutted out a 26-24 victory over Grace Christian Academy in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at SCS’ court.

Behind by 8 after the first half, 12-20, SCS showed persistence on both ends of the floor in the second to complete the spirited come-from-behind win.

Isaiah Aleksenko nailed the go-ahead, as he converted a layup, a few minutes after Steve Adriatico tied the game for GCA with a 15-foot jumper. Before Aleksenko’s dagger and Adriatico’s equalizer, Charlie McDonald barreled his way through multiple GCA defenders and converted an and-1 play to put the Tsunamis on top, 24-22 lead.

McDonald also led SCS’ uphill climb in the third quarter, as he nailed a floater and a layup to move his team within 6, 16-22. Aleksenko and Miles Borja then chipped in one field goal apiece, while McDonald split his charities, cutting the deficit to 21-22, heading into the last period.

In the fourth quarter, SCS managed to overtake GCA and stole the win, thanks to McDonald and Aleksenko. McDonald led all scorers with his 14 points, while Aleksenko had 10, 6 of them came in the final canto.

Justin and Jason Du churned out 8 and 6 points for the Eagles, respectively, but had a meltdown in the second half.

With SCS stealing one from GCA, the Tsunamis improved to a 2-5 record. The Eagles still have a better record at 3-3.

Meanwhile, Agape Christian School continued its dominance in the boys division after hammering Saipan International School, 51-11.

David Zhang caught fire early and rattled off 10 points in the first period. He and Eason Tang carried the offensive load for the Torchbearers, who raced to a 14-0 lead and kept pounding the Geckos in the remaining quarters for the easy win.

Zhang finished with a game-high 26 points, while Tang contributed 12 markers, as Agape now holds a 7-0 record. SIS fell to a 4-3 card.

In other results, Northern Marianas International School routed Seventh Day Adventist, 34-11, at the latter’s court in Chalan Kiya.

Eddie Valdoz and Justin Mateo spearheaded the Phoenix’s winning cause after scoring 12 points apiece, while J.P. Pineda and John Balgos combined for 10. NMIS snapped its six-game losing skid and got its second win, while SDA continued its free fall, dropping to 1-7 record.

Games in the middle school league will continue tomorrow with GCA and Agape squaring off in a double-header at the former’s court in Navy Hill, while SDA will host the Geckos.

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